Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0014848 (achalasia)
 2,804 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

This paper is a review of esophageal anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology. The diagnosis and therapy of benign and malignant esophageal strictures are discussed including the specifics of esophageal dilation and tumor ablation procedures. The diagnosis and therapy of esophagitis in the immunocompromised (HIV, chemotherapy, transplant recipient) host is discussed. The pathophysiology and treatment of achalasia and esophageal spasm are reviewed. Finally, current concepts of the pathophysiology and therapy of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Emphasis is placed on the dual sphincter theory of gastroesophageal junction competence and the need for maintenance anti-secretory therapy.
 ...
PMID:Esophageal dysphagia. 820 80

Esophageal candidiasis (EC) is the most common type of infectious esophagitis. In the gastrointestinal tract, the esophagus is the second most susceptible to candida infection, only after the oropharynx. Immunocompromised patients are most at risk, including patients with HIV/AIDS, leukemia, diabetics, and those who are receiving corticosteroids, radiation, and chemotherapy. Another group includes those who used antibiotics frequently and those who have esophageal motility disorder (cardiac achalasia and scleroderma). Patients complained of pain on swallowing, difficulty swallowing, and pain behind the sternum. On physical examination, there is a plaque that often occurs together with oral thrush. Endoscopic examination is the best approach to diagnose this disease by directly observing the white mucosal plaque-like lesions and exudates adherent to the mucosa. These adherent lesions cannot be washed off with water from irrigation. This disease is confirmed histologically by taking the biopsy or brushings of yeast and pseudohyphae invading mucosal cells. The treatment is by systemic antifungal drugs given orally in a defined course. It is important to differentiate esophageal candidiasis from other forms of infectious esophagitis such as cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, medication-induced esophagitis, radiation-induced esophageal injury, and inflammatory conditions such as eosinophilic esophagitis. Except for a few complications such as necrotizing esophageal candidiasis, fistula, and sepsis, the prognosis of esophageal candidiasis has been good.
 ...
PMID:Diagnosis and Treatment of Esophageal Candidiasis: Current Updates. 3177 27